Hi all!! Newbie from Tennessee here!

Hi everyone, I'm new here and have been considering lap band surgery for quite some time. I weigh 211 lbs. and have a BMI of 38. I also have gerd, shortness of breath and depression. I am only 5'3". I have an appointment to attend the seminar in Knoxville on March 13. I am soooo looking forward to it. Dr. Stephen Bryce is the doctor that I will be seeing after the seminar. Has anyone used him? I've read a lot about him and everyone who leaves a post about him says he is wonderful! Also, about insurance, anyone have medicare and bluecare and know if they cover the surgery and the aftercare part? I really am excited about attending the seminar, but am not wanting to get my hopes up that my insurance will pay. If there is anyone who has this type of insurance, could you please let me know and what the outcome was. Thank you guys sooooo much! Will be talking to you soon! Pamela

Pamela, I just wanted to say hello and welcome! I am not familiar with medicare or blue care. Hope everything goes well for you!!

Welcome, Close to same size and BMI when I got my surgery. Gerd was gone ...... still working on depression but that too is better. I had surgery in Nashville. Glad to have you with us.

Welcome!! I had surgery 5 weeks ago today and I have not regreted it at all, it has been the best thing I have ever done. I am sure you will feel the same way, everyone here is wonderful support, even if you just need to read and not post at times. Good Luck!! Shelia

You should have a member services phone number on your card somewhere. Call that number and ask if they cover the surgery. I called my insurance company and got a list of their requirements before I went to my first seminar (I went to 3 before I found the right surgeon for me). When I made my appointment for my consultation, I already had everything I needed to provide and all I had to get was the psych eval and letter from my PCP. We were able to submit to insurance 6 weeks after I attended the seminar. The only reason it took that long was waiting for the psych appt and report. Good luck to you!

Pamela, I actually attended Dr. Boyce's seminar last week at Thompson CAncer Center. Alot of people on here have been pleased with him but he seems to not like the lap band (that was what I was considering). There were many people there...maybe 75-100. If you are self pay he charges $17,500 for lap band and $21,000 for bypass surgery. Also you have to pay $3,000 yourself..It is for things that insurance doesn't cover. (I can't remember what they were specifically but they were not medical services which is why most ins. doesn't cover it) I am going to attend Dr. Colquitt's seminar in a few weeks. It is at Blount Memorial and is also a Center of Excellence. It looks like he does more Lapbands than Dr. Boyce does and he gets good patient reviews. So I will know more later. Joann

HI Pamela, WElcome to the site!! You are in the right place as so many of these people are great and always willing to help!! I have to say Kudos to Susan Jones, Sara Messer and Sonya Denton for their help and answers to questions!! Thanks, gals, you are the greatest!! I have been to the seminar and to an appt with Dr Boyce........... I personally was disappointe with his office and nort overly confident in him. You will pay him $300 when you go for 1st appt. They order lab in the building.............. because he sent for it and cause was morbid obesity, my ins would not pay. Almost $1,000 for Lab only. I think the Psych fee is another $300 plud their $3,000 fee, so be prepared to shell out some pocket money!! I understood him to say that after surgery you need special vitamins, liquid being better, and that they sold them for $22 a day. At this point I think I went into shock. AS I left the office, one girl told me I had tp lose 20 lbs........ I said, "I do?"............ (no one had mentioned that) and as DR Boyce explained, either I had to have a documented, SUPERVISED 6 months weight loss program from my PCP within last yr or I would need to do that theu them. A 2nd girl that checked me out said "See you in 6 months!!.............. So the whole thing depressed me!! That was in Dec. Two weeks ago, someone called me from the office and asked if I was still comsidering the surgery................ I told her I was so confused by the visit, different messages and the price of the vitamons, that I didn't know what to do............... She said that she was so sorry that it was such a bad experience........... said that the vitamin price had to ******ror............. I explained to her that I also have to choose another ins as of May 1st, because I can't keep this one. She said that their ins expert was out of town and would be back on Mon. She had several patients that had to switch in approval time and said, I'll call you back on Mon............. after I speak with her and see how we can help you!! I told her she was the best thing from that office and I really got excited................ But, never heard back. THru the help of Sonya Denton, I have now received info from Centennial on Nashville. My PCP told me today, when I was there to see her that she has sent several to Dr Houston there, and she recommends him 100%................. I thought the office visit at Dr Boyce, the employees were not helpful, and seemed disinterested, except for a tech who did the official BMI............. He was great. If you choose to go to Dr Boyce, I wish you the best and hope you have a better experience!! Have a blessed day!!...............